Face Mask Order Extended Due To Rise Of Coronavirus On Campuses

MADISON, WI – Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared a new public health emergency on Tuesday due to recent surges in coronavirus cases on college campuses and has issued a new face coverings order.

Wisconsin has seen a surge in coronavirus cases among people ages 18-24 at a case rate fives time higher than any other age group, according to a news release from the governor's office, which appears to have been driven by in-person social gatherings. The daily number of cases rose from 678 on Aug. 31 to 1,791 on Sept. 21, representing a 2.6-fold increase over three weeks.

"We continue to learn more about this virus, but what we do know is that we are facing a new and dangerous phase of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Wisconsin," Evers said in a prepared statement. "We are seeing an alarming increase across our state, especially on campus. We need folks to start taking this seriously, and young people especially – please stay home as much as you are able, skip heading to the bars, and wear a mask whenever you go out."

Executive Order 90 describes at least 76 facility investigations throughout the state following the reopening of K-12 schools and a drastic surge in cases due to students returning to college dorms and gathering for social events. Of the eight Wisconsin cities topping the list of fastest growing spread of COVID-19 in the country, six have University of Wisconsin campuses: La Crosse, Whitewater, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Platteville and Madison.

The public health emergency related to college campuses is effective immediately and is set to expire after 60 days.

"The current surge among young people is concerning, but it is important to remember that this increase in cases is not confined to college campuses," Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm said in a prepared statement. "Students come to these campuses from across the state, and we worry about the effect their return from an area with a high infection rate could have on their home communities."

In response to the risk of cases, especially those on college campuses, Emergency Order 1 now requires everyone in Wisconsin to wear a face covering while indoors or in an enclosed space other than their homes. They must also wear a face covering while in the presence of another person who is not a member of their immediate family or household.

Face coverings are strongly recommended in all other settings, including outdoors when it is not possible to maintain physical distancing.

Face coverings are not required while eating or drinking, when communicating with a person who is hard of hearing, while swimming or on duty as a lifeguard, or when necessary to confirm the person's identity.

"We need to do everything we can now to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for winter," Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Wisconsin's Chief Medical Officer and the State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases, said in a prepared statement. "That is why we need to continue wearing masks and practicing physical distancing."

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